Shraddha and Pinda Daan by Daughter & Daughter in Law :

Shraddha and Pinda Daan by Daughter & Daughter in Law :

By Lokanath Mishra:

In Tulsi Dash’s Ramayana, an interesting story has been written about pinda daan by daughter in law. According to Ramayana written by Tulsi Dash , in the absence of Prabhu Shri Rama, his wife Mata Sita offered pinda on the banks of Falguni River to his father in law Shri Dasharatha , the father of Prabhu Shri Rama.
The story goes that Rama, along with his brother Laxaman and Sita, came to Gaya to perform the sacred rites for his father, Shri Dasaratha. When the brothers were bathing in the river, the young Sita was sitting on the banks, playing with the sand. Suddenly, Dasaratha appeared out of the sand, and asked for the Pinda, saying he was hungry. Sita asked him to wait till his sons returned, so that she could give him the traditional Pinda of rice and til. He refused to wait, asking her to give him pinda made of the sand in his hand.
Having no other option, in the presence of five witnesses – the Akshaya Vatam, the Falguni River, a cow, a Tulsi plant and a Brahmin, she gave him the Pinda he desired. Soon, Rama returned and started the rituals. In those days apparently, the ancestors would arrive in person to collect their share, and when Dasaratha did not appear, they wondered why. Sita then told them what had happened, but Rama could not believe that his father would accept pinda made of sand and that too from the hand of a young woman his daughter in law. Mata Sita now mentioned her witnesses, and asked them to tell Prabhu Shri Rama the truth.
Among the five, only the Akshaya Vatam took her side and told the truth, while the others lied, trying to take Rama’s side. In her anger, Sita cursed all of them thus: the Falguni river henceforth would have no water at Gaya; the Cow would no longer be worshipped from the front as all others are- only its backside would be worshipped; there would be no more Tulsi plants at Gaya and the Gaya Brahmins would never be satisfied, they would always be hungry and crave more and more. She then blessed the Akshaya Vatam saying that all who came to Gaya would perform the Pinda pradaanam at the Akshaya Vatam too.
Thus it is evident from the holy book Ramayana that daughter in law can perform shraddha and pinda pradaanam along with son also.
Despite such story of Ramayana, In Hindu tradition for performance of Shraddha and Pinda Daan, different works have been distributed between different members of the family viz. foods are to be cooked by daughter and daughter in law, shraddha and pinda daan is to be performed by son and finally grand son or grandsons are to sit shraddha patra for partaking shraddha arnna l. However In Hindu tradition, daughters can also perform Shraddha rituals under certain circumstances:
Traditional Conditions:

1. No male heirs: If there are no sons, grandsons, or great-grandsons, daughters can perform Shraddha.
2. Adoption: If a daughter adopts a son, she can perform Shraddha for her ancestors.
3. Widowhood: A widowed daughter can perform Shraddha for her deceased husband’s ancestors.
   Modern Reforms:
4. Arya Samaj tradition: This Hindu reform movement allows daughters to perform Shraddha.
5. Some regional customs: In Kerala, daughters are allowed to perform Shraddha.
   Specific Situations:
6. Putrika (appointed daughter): In some communities, a daughter is appointed as Putrika, enabling her to perform Shraddha.
7. Daughter’s son (Putra): If a daughter’s son performs Shraddha, it’s considered equivalent to a son’s performance.
   Ritual Modifications:
8. Mantras: Daughters recite modified mantras, replacing “Putra” with “Putri” or “Duhita”.
9. Ritual procedures: Some modifications may be necessary to accommodate female performers.
   Important Considerations:
   Key Scriptures:
10. Manusmriti (5.90): Allows daughters to perform Shraddha in absence of male heirs.
11. Yajnavalkya Smriti (1.120): Permits daughters to perform Shraddha.
    Contemporary Views:
12. Equality: Many advocate for gender equality in ritual participation.
13. Inclusivity: Daughters’ participation promotes family unity and continuity.
    In Odisha , the eligibility to perform Shraddha (or Shradh) rituals, particularly Pinda Dana, has been traditionally restricted to male descendants, specifically:
    *Son (Putra)
    *Grandson (Pautra)
    *Great-grandson (Prapautra)
    Daughters are generally excluded from performing Shraddha rituals for several reasons:
    *Traditional interpretation of Hindu scriptures (Dharmashastras):

• Apastamba Dharmasutra (2.11.16): Only males are entitled to perform Shraddha.
  *Rationale:

1. Patriarchal society: Ancient Hindu society was patriarchal, emphasizing male lineage.
2. Property inheritance: Sons were responsible for inheriting property and continuing family lineage.
3. Ritualistic significance: Males were considered essential for performing rituals.
   However, modern interpretations and changing social norms have led to:
   *Reforms: In Odisha:
4. Some Hindu sects (e.g., Arya Samaj) allow daughters to perform Shraddha.
5. Contemporary scholars argue for gender equality in ritual participation.
   *Exceptions:
6. In some regions (e.g., Kerala), daughters are allowed to perform Shraddha.
7. If no male heirs exist, some traditions permit daughters or other female relatives.
   *Alternative roles for daughters:
8. Assist male relatives in Shraddha rituals.
9. Perform other rituals, like Tarpana or Anna Dana.